Republican Views on National Defense

The Republican Party believes that the key to National Defense is a strong, traditional military. They believe that the country should have a strong and comprehensive defense system. Republican views on national defense are centered around the belief that strengthening the military will build a safer world and a stronger defense system for this country, with the Party stating that “a strong and well-trained American military is the world’s best guarantee of peace.” They adamantly believe that the only way to achieve this goal and gain greater security is to increase the defense budget.

Republicans and a Traditional Military

The Republican Party believes that a strong military is the key to a strong national defense system, stating, “U.S. forces must be agile, lethal, readily deployable, and require a minimum of logistical support. They must also be fully prepared for possible enemy use of weapons of mass destruction.” The Party believes that this can be done, but in order to achieve this goal “ the US must align its military power with the strengths of American society: our skilled people, our advanced technology, and our proficiency at integrating fast-paced systems into potent networks. We will not forget that the strength of our military lies with the combat soldier, sailor, airman, and Marine.”

Republicans believe that the strongest military will be one that maintains traditional values. To this end, Republicans support removing homosexuals from the armed forces, due to the belief that “homosexuality is incompatible with military service.” For the same reasons, they support the advancement of women in the military, buy also support “their exemption from ground combat units, and call for the end of co-ed training.”

Republicans and a Missile Defense System

Republicans strongly support the building and maintaining of a national missile defense system, stating, “America must deploy effective missile defenses, based on an evaluation of the best available options, including sea-based, at the earliest possible date.” They wish to see this system designed to protect not only all 50 states, but also “America’s deployed forces overseas, and our friends and allies in the fellowship of freedom against missile attacks by outlaw states or accidental launches.”

Republicans on Biodefense

Republicans believe in developing biodefense systems as a means to combat bioterrorism. They also wish to see an increase in a bioterrorism defense budget for this same purpose. They support former President Bush’s Project BioShield, believing it “provides new tools to improve medical countermeasures protecting Americans against a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack; putting in place major new biodefense capabilities; creating the Container Security Initiative to screen cargo for the US; and deploying missile defenses to defend the US and its friends and allies.” Republicans view each of these defense capabilities as vital to the protection of this country.

Republicans and Nuclear Weapons

The Republican Party believes that maintaining some number of nuclear weapons is necessary, but they hope to keep this number as low as possible. They believe this should be done at an executive level, stating that a president should “reevaluate America’s nuclear force posture and pursue the lowest possible number consistent with our national security. We can safely eliminate thousands more of these horrific weapons. We should do so.” Republicans also hope to see the United States reduce the risk of accidental launch, by working together with other nuclear nations to remove as many weapons as possible from high-alert, hair-trigger status.

Republicans and the Defense Budget

The Republican Party believes strongly in an increased defense budget. In 2000 the party spoke out in defense of raising this budget, stating that the administration had cut defense spending to its lowest percentage of gross domestic product since 1939. Republicans believe that raising this budget is the only way to “restore the health of a defense industry weakened by a combination of neglect and misguided policies.” They also believe that this lowered budget has a good deal to do with lower morale among members of the armed forces. In its call to action for a higher budget for defense, Republicans noted that “the US military faces growing problems in readiness, morale, and its ability to prepare for the threats of the future,” and that these problems arose as the military budgets were cut.

Mitt Romney on National Defense

Mitt Romney believes that National Defense is a cause that should be at the forefront of American concern, stating “I do not believe that the cause of freedom ended with the close of the last century, nor that America can afford complacency in its defense. America is still the hope of the world. We must confront clearly and courageously the threats to freedom, and we must resolutely sustain the capabilities we need to protect our security and sustain the cause of liberty.” He strongly supports the building of a non-nuclear ballistic missile defense system, and hopes to see the defense budget raised to 4% of the GDP. He also wants to see the military increase in size by 100,000 troops, and to set up stronger defenses against cyber attack.

Chris Christie on National Defense

Chris Christie believes strongly in strengthening the military, not just as a means to a stronger system of national defense, but also to preserve America for future generations. In his 2012 Republican National Convention speech, Christie said “I don’t want my children and grandchildren to have to read in a history book what it was like to live in an American Century. I don’t want their only inheritance to be an enormous government that has overtaxed, overspent and over-borrowed a great people into second-class citizenship. I want them to live in a second American Century. A second American Century of strong economic growth where those who are willing to work hard will have good paying jobs to support their families and reach their dreams…A second American Century where our military is strong, our values are sure, our work ethic is unmatched and our Constitution remains a model for anyone in the world struggling for liberty. This is the American way.” Christie also believes that America needs to stand firm on its decisions in terms of allies and enemies. He believes that a good deal of unrest in the Middle East is due to President Obama’s policies, stating “He draws red lines then doesn’t enforce them; he doesn’t stand up for our friends in a vocal and forceful way.” Christie believes that Americans need to be more definitive, saying that “we cannot have a world where our friends are unsure of whether we’ll be with them, and our enemies are unsure of whether we’ll be against them.”